Ten recent graduates from Chelmsford High School, alongside one current senior, have been awarded the prestigious Advanced Placement (AP) Capstone Diplomas. This program is designed to cultivate essential skills such as critical thinking, research, collaboration, and presentation, which are vital for both academic and professional success.
To qualify for the AP Capstone Diploma, students must achieve scores of 3 or higher in the AP Seminar, AP Research, and four additional AP Exams of their choosing. The students who have earned this honour are: Margot Betton, Joseph Evans, Julia Fields, Jessica Jerusal, Shalini Kirubakara, Sahana Macherla, Anne Magny, Anjana Muraleedaran, Jocelyn Pica, Sophia Roy, and Jennifer Yu.
Significance of the Achievement
According to Stephanie Quinn, K-12 social sciences department coordinator for Chelmsford Public Schools, earning these diplomas marks a significant achievement for the students. “We are incredibly proud of the students who participated in the AP Capstone Diploma program,” Quinn stated. “With the help of our dedicated teachers, these students were able to explore their passions through scholarly research in an impactful, multi-year program that will serve them well long after high school.”
During the 2024-25 school year, over 160,000 students from more than 3,500 schools globally participated in the AP Capstone program. Approximately 27,650 students were awarded the AP Capstone Diploma, while an additional 12,430 students received the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.
Empowering Future Leaders
The AP Capstone program is designed to reignite curiosity within the academic environment. Bianca Peart, global director of the AP Capstone Diploma program, emphasized the importance of this initiative. “Students are not only building essential skills for college and career success but they’re also discovering how their voices and ideas can make an impact,” Peart remarked.
Trevor Packer, head of the Advanced Placement Program, congratulated all students who earned AP Capstone Diplomas and certificates during the 2024-25 school year. “Their hard work has helped them build foundational skills in project management, presentation, collaboration, and research that will contribute to their success in college and in their professional careers,” he noted.
This recognition of Chelmsford High School’s students underscores the value of rigorous academic programs that prepare young individuals for the challenges of higher education and beyond. The success of these students is a testament to their dedication and the supportive educational environment fostered by their teachers and community.
